Passage: Judges 7 Key Verse: "The Lord said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.” v.7 It was Friday night. I absently stared at the TV, thinking about how lonely I felt. Looking through my phone book, I knew that the options were not good. The friends who would be available on a Friday night would quickly offer me a tour back into my life before Christ... Places I knew Continue Reading
A Foreigner’s Reflection on America’s Birthday
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 I stood in front of the Lincoln monument on that beautiful spring morning, awestruck by the magnificent statue of America’s sixteenth president. I had just Continue Reading
Do You Trust God With Your Children?
Passage: Genesis 22:1-15 Key Verse: “He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” V. 12 I had not seen her in three years. As I walked into Starbucks to write that morning, I saw her smiling face through the glass windows. We sat down, catching up on three years of family and work history. I was surprised to find out that her son is now a teenager. It seems Continue Reading
My Column for the AJC: “The Race is Not Over Until God Says It Is Over”
It was Oct. 20, 1968. Thousands of spectators filled the Mexico City Olympic Stadium. Runners from all over the world endured a 24-mile, 385-yard event. Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia crossed the finish line, winning a gold medal and looking as fresh as he did on the starting line. As other runners kept arriving, the spectators started to leave the stadium. Suddenly, the sound of ambulance sirens filled the air. All eyes turned to the gate as runner number 36, wearing the colors of Tanzania, entered the Continue Reading
I Love You, BUT…
Passage: Ruth 1:6-17 Key Verse: “At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.” Ruth 1:14 Rio de Janeiro, 1962. A very talented young artist attended the Fine Arts School of Rio, the most renowned art school in South America. He shared the studio with some of the heirs of Brazil’s most prominent families. He had moved to Rio from a small town in the South in order to help his mother, a young widow who lost her income when her Continue Reading
My Column for the AJC: God Empowers Parents to Teach Children Love & Respect
When it comes to raising children, one can get overwhelmed with the load of information found on book store shelves, as well as the internet. Everyone has their own opinion. Spanking or not spanking. Time out or no time out. Opinions diverge from complete leniency to terrible tyranny. And we are left often wondering whether our parenting skills are good, bad or mediocre. How is a parent to know if their children are being properly nourished to thrive? Parenting has certainly changed a lot Continue Reading
